 |
|
USC researchers develop new drug to target tumor cells and blood vessels
April 20, 2009Findings presented at AACR meeting suggest that the drug may be effective as long-term therapy for brain tumors
Researchers at the University of Southern California have identified a new drug compound that appears to target tumor cells and surrounding blood vessels without the negative side effects typically associated with Cox-2 inhibitors.
The compound 2.5-dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC) appears to have a strong anti-tumor effect while also attacking the vasculature that provides the blood supply necessary for tumor growth, according to data presented at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009. The findings were presented at a 1 p.m. news conference on Sunday, April 19.
"If left behind, the blood vessels within the tumor will help the tumor cells to survive and re-grow," says Florence M. Hofman, Ph.D., professor of pathology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "We believe that DMC will be particularly useful for treating brain tumors such as gliomas, which are highly vascular. It also appears very promising for long-term treatment because it does not have the negative cardiovascular effects associated with Cox-2 inhibitors."
Cox-2 inhibitors are most commonly used as anti-inflammatory drugs and have been shown to be effective in treating certain kinds of cancer. However, long-term use has also been associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, Hofman explains. DMC, however, retains anti-tumor activity without inhibition of Cox-2 and the associated increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
Hofman and colleagues from the Keck School of Medicine tested the effectiveness of the DMC compound by isolating endothelial cells--the cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels--from human nonmalignant brain and glioma tissues and treating them with DMC.
They found that the drug was cytotoxic to tumor-associated endothelial cells and suppressed cell proliferation and migration without apparent toxic effects to normal tissues. Drug therapy in animal studies also showed smaller tumors and fewer blood vessels in the tumors, with a 35 to 40 percent reduction in blood vessel density.
"While our research focused on brain tumors, we believe this drug may work in a number of different tumors that are dependent on blood vessels," Hofman says. "Further research will help us to understand its full potential."
University of Southern California
"If left behind, the blood vessels within the tumor will help the tumor cells to survive and re-grow," says Florence M. Hofman, Ph.D., professor of pathology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "We believe that DMC will be particularly useful for treating brain tumors such as gliomas, which are highly vascular. It also appears very promising for long-term treatment because it does not have the negative cardiovascular effects associated with Cox-2 inhibitors."
Cox-2 inhibitors are most commonly used as anti-inflammatory drugs and have been shown to be effective in treating certain kinds of cancer. However, long-term use has also been associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, Hofman explains. DMC, however, retains anti-tumor activity without inhibition of Cox-2 and the associated increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
Hofman and colleagues from the Keck School of Medicine tested the effectiveness of the DMC compound by isolating endothelial cells--the cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels--from human nonmalignant brain and glioma tissues and treating them with DMC.
They found that the drug was cytotoxic to tumor-associated endothelial cells and suppressed cell proliferation and migration without apparent toxic effects to normal tissues. Drug therapy in animal studies also showed smaller tumors and fewer blood vessels in the tumors, with a 35 to 40 percent reduction in blood vessel density.
"While our research focused on brain tumors, we believe this drug may work in a number of different tumors that are dependent on blood vessels," Hofman says. "Further research will help us to understand its full potential."
University of Southern California
Blood Vessels Current Events and Blood Vessels News RSSCommon pain relief medication may encourage cancer growth
Although morphine has been the gold-standard treatment for postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two centuries, a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Your Own Stem Cells Can Treat Heart Disease
The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk. The transplant subjects also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells.
Unexplained liver hemorrhage after metastasis radiofrequency ablation
Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the world. Approximately one in four of these patients have metastases at diagnosis, liver being the most common site involved.
When seconds count: Interventional radiology treatment for pulmonary embolism saves lives
Catheter-directed therapy or catheter-directed thrombolysis-an interventional radiology treatment that uses targeted image-guided drug delivery with specially designed catheters to dissolve dangerous blood clots in the lungs-saves lives and should be considered a first-line treatment option for massive pulmonary embolism, note researchers in the November Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
New mechanism explains how the body prevents formation of blood vessels
Researchers at Uppsala University, in collaboration with colleagues in Sweden and abroad, have identified an entirely new mechanism by which a specific protein in the body inhibits formation of new blood vessels.
Cataract surgery does not appear associated with worsening of age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration does not appear to progress at a higher rate among individuals who have had surgery to treat cataract, contrary to previous reports that treating one cause of vision loss worsens the other.
1930s drug slows tumor growth
Drugs sometimes have beneficial side effects. A glaucoma treatment causes luscious eyelashes. A blood pressure drug also aids those with a rare genetic disease.
Blood test identifies women at risk from Alzheimer's
Middle-aged women with high levels of a specific amino acid in their blood are twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer's many years later, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Local health investigation sheds light on gastroschisis birth defect
Results of an investigation conducted by University of Nevada, Reno researchers, public health officials and area physicians published this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, indicate that Washoe County experienced a cluster of a particular birth defect, gastroschisis, during the period April 2007 - April 2008.
Researcher: 'Optical biopsy' for breast cancer increasingly accurate
But women may not have to endure the medical costs, stress and potential complications that accompany such invasive biopsies forever. A University of Florida biomedical engineering researcher is making progress on an "optical biopsy" that has the potential to determine whether growths are cancerous without ever puncturing the skin.
More Blood Vessels Current Events and Blood Vessels News Articles
 |
The Fluid Mechanics of Large Blood Vessels (Cambridge Monographs on Mechanics) by T. J. Pedley (Author) The analysis of the circulation of the blood is one of the most important areas of fluid mechanics research, with far-reaching medical and physiological implications. |
 |
Naturally Lower your Blood Pressure WSN® Blood Vessel Support Formula, a Medical Food Specifically Formulated for the Dietary Management of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) by Wellness Support Network The WSN® Blood Vessel Support Formula is a completely natural product that is will lower blood pressure levels without the need of additional drugs and/or medications. Most people with high blood pressure are only treating the symptoms not getting to the root of the problem. Blood pressure is controlled by tiny muscles that line the inside of your blood vessels. When these muscles are tense all the time, the blood pressure will remain high. What are the Health Risks of High Blood Pressure? Continuous high blood pressure puts extra strain, wear and tear on your heart and arteries that can eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes. Under normal conditions when these muscles are relaxed, your arteries operate like soft rubber tubes that expand with each beat of your heart, and your blood... |
|
Muscles and Blood Vessels Starring: Medical Student Directed By: Bill Barnett Medicines that aid the treatment of muscles and blood vessels is one of the research interests of an Asian medical student at the Morehouse School of Medicine. He discusses his research and how he manages the challenges of working toward a medical degree | |
 |
Trielements Veinsolution? Circulation Health, 60 Capsules, 2 Bottle by Trielements A healthy circulatory system is essential in the everyday process of transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells and removing waste from tissue.VeinSolution is your powerful aid in this process. VeinSolutions function is 4 fold: Veins - promotes healthy structure and function of all veins and spider veins. Circulation - supports healthy circulation & microcirculation. Helps clear stagnations and assist the bloods delivery of necessary oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Fluids - helps maintain fluid balance in the extremities and smallest blood vessels so you can feel light on your feet again. Soft Tissue - helps the structure and function of connective tissue and helps clear congestion of lymph and other tissues. |
|
Mosby's Physical Examination Video Series: Video 8: Blood Vessels, Version 2 [VHS] Starring: Henry M. Seidel MD, Jane W. Ball RN DrPH CPNP NAP, Joyce E. Dains DrPH JD RN FNP BC NAP, G. William Benedict MD PhD | |
|
Blood Vessel by Blood Vessel | |
 |
Blood Vessels - Blood Vessels - Cd, 2006 THIS IS BLOOD VESSELS - "BLOOD VESSELS" CD - 2006. SONGS: 1 Catholic Zombies 2 Escape from My Brain 3 Not Funny 4 So Long 5 When You're Young 6 Primal Urge 7 Don't Care 8 Hell Rocket 9 White Knuckle Grip 10 Complacency |
 |
Blood Vessels 101 Canvas Print - Canvas Art by FineArtAmerica.com This is a beautiful stretched-canvas art print wrapped on 2.5" thick stretcher bars. The print is professionally printed, assembled, and shipped within 2 - 3 business days from our production facility in North Carolina and arrives ready-to-hang on your wall. FineArtAmerica.com is home to more than 20,000 artists from all over the world who entrust us to fulfill their print orders online. We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on every print that we sell and look forward to helping you select your next piece. |
 |
Blood Vessel The Cassandra Complex (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Heart Model; 3 Times Life-Size; Opens to Show Valves, Blood Vessels, Musculature by Neo/Sci Corporation Models, anatomical and cellular; Heart; 3x life-size; Separates into 4 parts; Sectioned; Shows ventricles, atria as open to expose valves, showing large blood vessels near heart and musculature of heart; Base-mounted; 7.5 x 9 x 12 in. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |